Thursday, May 10, 2012

12:29 PM

The GOP co-chairs of the state's budget committee today demanded Dem guv candidate Tom Barrett provide details of how he'd balance the budget while funding public schools and providing medical care for the poor.

Barrett's campaign fired back it was an attempt to deflect blame from his "destructive budget" and did not offer any details to answer the questions of Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills, and Robin Vos, R-Rochester.

The Walker campaign released the letter from the lawmakers in which they wrote if Barrett didn't have a comprehensive fiscal plan, he should answer three questions: Would he raise taxes or cut programs -- or both -- to solve the $3.6 billion deficit the state had at the start of this budget? Would he have added $1.2 billion in GPR to the Medicaid program like Republicans did? And how would he fund K-12 education?

"This next election is about more than rhetoric; it’s about the fiscal future of Wisconsin," the pair wrote, adding the questions should be "answered honestly with great detail."

Barrett spokesman Phil Walzak called the letter a "transparent stunt."

"Scott Walker can try to deflect blame all he wants for his destructive budget, but at the end of the day, he must be accountable for his policies," Walzak said. "Scott Walker chose to balance the budget by raising taxes on seniors, making the deepest cuts in education in state history, and raising fees by $105 million for the cost of college. And Governor Walker did all of this while giving billions of dollars in tax give-aways to corporations and the super rich. With less than a month away until we have a referendum on his leadership, it's no wonder Scott Walker is trying to play the deflection game with the people of Wisconsin."